Paris Celebrates PSG's Champions League Victory Amidst Unrest
Flares lit up the Parisian night as fans celebrated Paris Saint-Germain’s historic Champions League victory on Saturday, marking their first title in the prestigious tournament. The atmosphere was electric, with fireworks illuminating the Eiffel Tower in blue and red.
As the final unfolded in Munich, thousands gathered at PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium, where a giant screen broadcasted the match. The team’s emphatic 5-0 win over Inter Milan sparked jubilation but also unrest, leading to confrontations even before the final whistle.
During the first half, a clash erupted outside the stadium between exuberant fans igniting flares and riot police who responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd. Tensions escalated further along the Champs-Élysées, where a water cannon was deployed to safeguard the iconic Arc de Triomphe.
Police reported that a large group of fans attempted to breach a barrier, prompting a swift response. By 2 a.m. Sunday, authorities had arrested 294 individuals, including 30 who vandalized a shoe store on the Champs-Élysées. Two vehicles were set ablaze near Parc des Princes, underscoring the chaotic aftermath of the celebrations.
In light of previous incidents during high-stakes matches, PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé called for restraint among fans. “Let’s celebrate but without breaking everything in Paris,” he urged during an interview with Canal Plus.
The match itself was a spectacle, with 19-year-old PSG forward Désiré Doué delivering a standout performance, scoring twice and assisting another goal. “I don’t have words,” he expressed, overwhelmed by the victory. “But what I can say is ‘Thank you Paris,’ we did it.”
At Place de la Bastille, fans reveled in the victory, climbing onto the base of the historic column, singing and dancing amidst a sea of flares. The atmosphere remained jubilant as motorbikes revved their engines, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Despite earlier predictions of potential violence, the mood at 1 a.m. was largely celebratory, with no immediate tensions reported. Security measures had been heightened in anticipation of unrest, with 5,400 police officers deployed across key areas of Paris.
Even before the match began at 9 p.m., the Champs-Élysées was alive with fans celebrating, while heavy police presence surrounded Parc des Princes. Authorities anticipated a surge of supporters onto the avenue post-match.
Recent history has shown that celebrations can quickly turn violent; just weeks prior, after PSG's victory over Arsenal to reach the final, clashes resulted in property damage and injuries. Riot police were still managing unruly crowds at 3 a.m., leading to over 40 arrests that night.
Five years ago, following PSG's loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, fans clashed with police on the Champs-Élysées. Similarly, celebrations for PSG’s French title win in 2013 were marred by violence, resulting in injuries and arrests.
Past incidents also include unrest following Algeria’s African Cup of Nations victory in 2019 and various matches involving Morocco and Algeria that led to clashes in subsequent years.
